CVE-2026-19159 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/07/2026
Use after free in Views in Google Chrome prior to 151.0.7922.109 allowed a remote attacker who convinced a user to engage in specific UI gestures to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition within the Views framework of Google Chrome, specifically affecting versions prior to 151.0.7922.109. The flaw exists in how the browser handles UI component lifecycle management when processing crafted HTML content, creating a scenario where memory allocated to UI elements can be accessed after it has been freed by the system. The vulnerability is classified as high severity by Chromium security standards and stems from improper memory management within the browser's user interface rendering subsystem.
The technical exploitation occurs through a carefully constructed HTML page that triggers specific user interface gestures, allowing an attacker to manipulate the Views framework's memory management behavior. When the browser processes such malicious content, it creates conditions where UI components are destroyed while references to them remain active in memory. This creates a scenario where subsequent memory operations can corrupt heap structures, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability specifically affects the Views subsystem which manages windowing and UI element rendering across Chrome's various interfaces including extensions, settings panels, and browser windows.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risk to users who may inadvertently encounter malicious web content through phishing campaigns, compromised websites, or social engineering attacks. The attack vector requires user interaction with specific UI gestures, making it moderately difficult to exploit automatically but still highly dangerous when successful. Successful exploitation could result in complete browser compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Chrome process. This represents a classic heap corruption vulnerability that enables privilege escalation within the browser environment.
The underlying flaw aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in memory management where freed memory is accessed. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and potentially T1566 for spearphishing with social engineering techniques. The attack chain typically involves initial access through malicious web content followed by exploitation of the heap corruption to gain execution privileges within the browser sandbox.
Mitigation strategies primarily focus on immediate patching to the latest Chrome versions where this vulnerability has been resolved through proper memory management updates and enhanced bounds checking in the Views framework. Additionally, users should employ security practices including keeping browsers updated, using sandboxed browsing environments, and implementing content filtering solutions. Browser vendors have implemented various protections including address space layout randomization, stack canaries, and improved memory allocation routines to prevent similar issues. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious browser behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenge of maintaining memory safety in complex GUI frameworks and underscores the importance of rigorous code review processes in security-critical applications.